Guatemala

Guatemala (Spanish: República de Guatemala, Spanish pronunciation: [reˈpuβlika ðe ɣwateˈmala]) is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast. Its size is just under 110,000 km² with an estimated population of 13,000,000.

A representative democracy, its capital is Guatemala City. Guatemala's abundance of biologically significant and unique ecosystems contribute to Mesoamerica's designation as a biodiversity hotspot.

Contents

• 1 History
  • 1.1 Etymology
  • 1.2 Pre-Columbian
  • 1.3 Colonial
  • 1.4 Independence and 19th century
  • 1.5 1944 to present
• 2 Politics
  • 2.1 Foreign Relations
• 3 Departments and municipalities
• 4 Geography
  • 4.1 Natural disasters
  • 4.2 Biodiversity
• 5 Demographics
  • 5.1 Diaspora
• 6 Economy
• 7 Culture
  • 7.1 Language
  • 7.2 Religion
  • 7.3 Education
• 8 See also
• 9 Notes
• 10 Further reading
• 11 External links

Republic of Guatemala República de Guatemala
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Libre Crezca Fecundo" "Grow Free and Fertile"
Anthem: Himno Nacional de Guatemala
Capital (and largest city)		Guatemala City 14°38′N 90°30′W / 14.633°N 90.5°W / 14.633; -90.5
Official languages		Spanish, indigenous languages
Demonym		Guatemalan
Government		Presidential republic
-	President	Álvaro Colom Caballeros
-	Vice President	Rafael Espada
Independence		from Spain
-	Date	15 September 1821
Area
-	Total	108,890 km2 (106th) 42,042 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.4
Population
-	July 2008 estimate	13,000,000 (70th)
-	July 2007 census	12,728,111
-	Density	134.6/km2 (85th) 348.6/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$67.007 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$4,899[1]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$38.956 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$2,848[1]
Gini (2002)		55.1 (high)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.689 (medium) (118th)
Currency		Quetzal (GTQ)
Time zone		(UTC-6)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.gt
Calling code		+502